Chapter 6: Chapter 6

The commotion upstairs grew too loud, prompting Timothy and Carson to exchange a knowing glance, both expressing a shared annoyance.

Melody was causing trouble once again!

Hastening to Suzanna’s aid, they ascended the stairs, only to witness Melody intimidating someone.

There, they found Mrs. Swenson, her back adorned with twisted electrodes, blood staining her clothing as she cried out, “Ms. Melody, if you hold a grudge, direct it at me. I’m merely an old bone; if you break me, so be it…”

“Suzie is still young. Please, spare her from your wrath…”

Mrs. Swenson’s wrinkled face was etched with grievances, resembling that of a loyal servant fiercely defending her master.

Melody stood aside, her gaze coldly fixed on the kneeling Mrs. Swenson, displaying an indifferent demeanor as if the scene had no connection to her.

However, her grip tightened around the electrode she held in her hand.

Timothy’s expression darkened, a deep furrow forming on his brow as he observed the situation with growing concern.

As the eldest brother, he was increasingly dismayed by Melody’s rebellious actions.

“Melody, haven’t you caused enough trouble?” he admonished, his words carrying a warning tone.

“When you can’t target Suzie, you harm Mrs. Swenson, who raised her. Do you have to force me to kick you out of the Shield family before you’re satisfied?”

His words were a stern reminder, cautioning Melody against crossing a line.

To be part of the Shield family entails embodying traits of kindness and respect akin to Suzie.

To maintain one’s place within the Shield family, it’s imperative not to exhibit the rude and arrogant conduct often associated with a village girl who has spent over a decade wandering outside.

Instinctively protective of Suzanna, Carson stood between her and Melody, his gaze filled with hostility.

“Have you lost your mind, Melody?” he demanded.

“Timothy, did Melody marry into the Moore family and lose her senses? I’ve heard that the first six brides who wedded Edward all went mad and fled.”

“Could she have fallen victim to deception?”

Carson’s brow furrowed, his gaze toward Melody taking on a complex hue.

A trace of concern flickered in his eyes but vanished as Suzanna caught his sleeve.

“Carson, could Mel have endured hardships in the Moore family and returned to us in a troubled state?”

Suzanna, pale-faced, sought refuge under Carson’s protective stance, her expression fraught with distress as she bit her lip.

Meanwhile, Melody absentmindedly stowed away the only intact electrode, seemingly unaffected by Suzanna’s reference to “our family.”

The Shield family, she realized, was not truly hers; she harbored no hope for any semblance of familial connection.

Meeting Timothy’s intense gaze with her own unwavering one, Melody spoke with resolve, “Fine, you can kick me out of the Shield family, but I demand to sever all ties!”

“From now on, I, Melody, have no blood relation with anyone in the Shield family. Farewell.”

As Mr. and Mrs. Shield and the other three brothers neared the door, Melody’s resolute declaration reached their ears, casting a dark shadow over their faces.

Struck by disbelief at Melody’s unwavering stance, Gary reached out as if to grab her wrist, but she coldly evaded his touch.

“Mel, what nonsense are you talking about? It was just one night of being a stand-in for Suzie. Is it necessary to be so angry?” he implored, his tone tinged with concern.

“I heard that Edward is disabled. The six previous brides all ran away, so it won’t make a difference if you do the same. Just treat it as a dream and continue living in our house, okay?”

Gary paid no heed to her avoidance and proceeded to draw nearer.

His deep brown eyes exuded clarity, his fair complexion radiated a refreshing charm, and his smile unveiled dimples, lending him a handsome and pleasant appearance.

A sophomore at Greenfield University, Gary had struggled academically, repeating two years due to his laziness and mischief. He shared the same class as Melody, often leading her to shoulder the blame for his antics at home and school.

Observing Melody’s chilly and resistant demeanor, Derrick’s impatience grew evident as he furrowed his brows.

Meanwhile, Cameron, confined to his wheelchair, surveyed the cluttered room with a frosty gaze, expressing disappointment, “Melody, you’re acting so immature!”

“After all these years, you’ve had everything Suzie had. Why are you still dissatisfied?”

Two years prior, Cameron had been in a car accident that left him with crippling injuries to his legs.

A doctor himself, Cameron had sought opinions from numerous orthopedic specialists, all of whom delivered the same grim prognosis: his legs were irreparably damaged. Consequently, he withdrew further into seclusion, scarcely venturing outside.

Cameron found a glimmer of hope as he began to sense faint sensations in his legs recently.

Although subtle, it gave him hope.

Only Suzanna had diligently massaged his legs during this time, providing him with unwavering support.

Their mother nodded in agreement, casting a blameful look towards Melody, “Melody, I heard you took the financial plan Suzie crafted for Timothy’s company, and now you’re criticizing Mrs. Swenson. How could I have raised such a wayward child?”

Their father’s expression soured further as he observed Melody’s reddened and swollen face, his frustration mounting.

Indeed, she had always been a troublemaker. Since her return home, peace had been elusive in the Shield family!

Despite this, she remained their flesh and blood. With a stern tone, Mr. Shield addressed Melody, “Melody, if you return the USB drive to Suzie and apologize to both her and Mrs. Swenson, I won’t pursue your recent actions.”

“Otherwise, you can leave wherever you please!”

In his mind, Mr. Shield believed he was offering Melody an opportunity to reconcile, ensuring she could still maintain her position as a daughter of the Shield family.

However, should she refuse to acknowledge her missteps, it would confirm that she remained as unfortunate as when she got lost as a child, unable to embrace any blessings bestowed upon her.

Melody’s lips curled into a sneer. In her previous life, she might have been devastated by these words and continued apologizing to soothe them.

But now, she felt indifferent.

Standing tall, her almond-shaped eyes retained their clarity but now held a chilling gaze as she addressed everyone present, “I’ve done nothing wrong!”

“And I refuse to apologize!”

“Since the whole family is here, let’s set things straight. Over the past four years at the Shield family, all my expenses were covered by Poppy’s credit card. I’ll personally reimburse Poppy for that money; it’s not your concern.”

“As for the arrangements made for me by the Shield family, I want no part of them. I’m done with all of you; we won’t cross paths again!”

With a cold glance at the disheveled Mrs. Swenson, Melody tossed a voice recorder on the ground and strode away.

Her defiance shook Mr. Shield’s authority, igniting his fury, “Such disobedience!”

“If you want to leave, then leave. Depart from the Shield family, and don’t return expecting us to welcome you back!”

In Mr. Shield’s view, Melody had no resources or connections outside, and the Moore family would never accept her.

If she faced hardships, she would come crawling back on her own!

Unmoved by his anger, Melody clenched another voice recorder and a USB drive, determination flashing in her eyes as she hastened her departure.

“Melody, stop being unreasonable. Apologizing to Suzie is not a matter of life and death. Why are you so stubborn?”

Gary’s puzzled frown was met with Bernard’s imposing figure blocking his way at the door.

Helplessly, Gary watched as Melody’s rigid back disappeared into the distance.

Meanwhile, inside the house, the voice recorder played back Mrs. Swenson’s vulgar words, causing the family’s expressions to shift from confusion to embarrassment.

They had misjudged Melody!

Yet, Melody’s demand to sever ties with the family seemed unreasonable. Was she expecting them to apologize and beg her to return over such a trivial matter?

They couldn’t indulge her!

Mrs. Swenson hastily rose to her feet, her voice trembling as she pleaded, “Please, forgive me, Sirs and Madams. I only spoke out of concern for the family’s reputation when I saw Melody associating with questionable men shortly after her marriage.”

“I never imagined she would treat this old lady so harshly. My frail bones can barely withstand it…”

Tears streamed down her face, emphasizing her apparent suffering.

Despite the electrode being bent, it still inflicted bruising upon her.

Timothy’s complexion paled, his fingers twitching with uncertainty.

Had he misjudged Melody’s actions?

Yet, his pride held him back from admitting fault.

It’s fine; Melody won’t be upset.

Surely Melody would return on her own, even without his apology!

Similar thoughts raced through the minds of the others.

They couldn’t help but blame Melody for her association with unfamiliar men, leading to Mrs. Swenson’s misunderstanding and the ensuing chaos.

Mrs. Shield cast a sympathetic glance at Mrs. Swenson, who had played a significant role in Suzanna’s upbringing, unable to reprimand her. Sighing, she remarked, “Mrs. Swenson, you’re not to blame. Melody is simply too sensitive.”

She defended a man who is now disfigured and disabled?

She really debased herself.

Suzanna’s brow furrowed slightly, her eyes glistening as they landed on the USB flash drive “accidentally” left on the dressing table by Melody. A flicker of curiosity passed through her gaze.

Limping forward, she linked arms with Mrs. Shield, offering reassurance, “Mom, Mel is not a bad person. She’ll come back once she’s calmed down.”

“Look, she left the USB flash drive for me.”

The sight of the USB flash drive eased the tension in the room, prompting hopeful thoughts that Melody had realized her error.

It seemed she would soon return home of her own accord!